State representative Christina Ayala stands at the doorway of Ayala's Restaurant, which is owned by her father Alberto "Tito" Ayala on Beechwood Avenue in Bridgeport, Conn., on Wednesday October 16, 2013. Christina Ayala refused to comment on possible criminal charges after an investigation by the State Elections Enforcement Commission. less

State representative Christina Ayala stands at the doorway of Ayala's Restaurant, which is owned by her father Alberto "Tito" Ayala on Beechwood Avenue in Bridgeport, Conn., on Wednesday October 16, 2013. ... more

State Rep. Christina Ayala speaks with Democratic Committee Chairman Mario Testa during the grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Fairchild Wheeler Interdistrict Magnet School Campus, in Bridgeport, ... more

Bridgeport state representative candidate Christina Ayala smiles towards the judge as she and her attorney Guy Soares enter a not guilty plea in Superior Court in Bridgeport on Tuesday, Octber 16, 2012.

Bridgeport state representative candidate Christina Ayala smiles towards the judge as she and her attorney Guy Soares enter a not guilty plea in Superior Court in Bridgeport on Tuesday, Octber 16, 2012.

Christina Ayala is arraigned in Superior Court, in Bridgeport, Conn. Dec. 4th, 2012 after she was charged with breach of peace following a argument with her boyfriend. A state prosecutor Wednesday dropped domestic violence charges against Ayala, who has since been installed as a state Representative. less

Christina Ayala is arraigned in Superior Court, in Bridgeport, Conn. Dec. 4th, 2012 after she was charged with breach of peace following a argument with her boyfriend. A state prosecutor Wednesday dropped ... more

BRIDGEPORT -- After her two arrests, a reported bar brawl and now alleged criminal elections violations, top state and city Democrats on Thursday urged state Rep. Christina Ayala, D-Bridgeport, to head for the exit.

The most important of these was state party chief Nancy DiNardo, of Trumbull.

"Given all the allegations surrounding Rep. Ayala, and given the amount of time and energy she's going to have to expend in defending herself, the wise course of action here would be for her to step down," DiNardo said.

Meanwhile, Mayor Bill Finch continued to maintain that, while he is alarmed by Ayala's disturbing pattern of behavior, "the investigation will have to run its course."

"He said that in the first incident, the second, the third incident," said John Gomes, who dropped out of the 2011 mayoral primary to back another Finch opponent, Mary Jane Foster. "That's pretty much what he says every time. How much more you going to let it play out? Enough is enough ... Set the standards again."

DiNardo's was the toughest stand an influential Democrat has taken against Ayala since the freshman legislator's troubles began in August 2012, when she was arrested after a hit-and-run accident a day after winning her primary.

In December, Ayala was arrested after a fight with a now ex-boyfriend.

Last month, that same ex was charged with allegedly torching Ayala's and her sister's cars. Then that boyfriend's new girlfriend filed a police complaint accusing Ayala of helping to beat her up at father Tito Ayala's restaurant, hours before the cars went up in flames.

But DiNardo's comments were prompted by a huge development in another case that's been dogging Ayala.

Last year, Hearst Connecticut Newspapers reported that Ayala might have lied about living in her legislative district when she ran in 2012 to succeed her cousin, Andres Ayala, who left his House seat to successfully campaign for state Senate.

In December, Connecticut's Elections Enforcement Commission launched a probe into Ayala's residency. On Wednesday, that agency recommended that the chief state's attorney prosecute Ayala and her mother, Santa Ayala, Bridgeport's Democratic registrar of voters, for conspiring to let Christina Ayala use a false address while voting, campaigning and when participating in the state's public campaign finance program.

The chief state's attorney will weigh the evidence and proceed or decline to prosecute. There is no time line, said a spokesman for the attorney's office.

On Wednesday, House Speaker Brendan Sharkey, D-Hamden, removed Ayala from her committee assignments, something that will hurt her influence in the General Assembly.

Even longtime Bridgeport Democratic Chairman Mario Testa, who had dismissed Ayala's hit-and-run as a youthful mistake that did not involve any fatalities, conceded Thursday that DiNardo might be right.

"With all these allegations, she should be considering stepping down," Testa said. He said he had arranged to meet with Ayala's Democratic district leaders to discuss the news about her alleged bar brawl, but that meeting was canceled.

"It's got to be up to her to do it," Testa added. "I cannot force her out."

Dottie Guman, Testa's former vice chairwoman, who had backed Ayala's candidacy, said Testa needs to have a heart-to-heart with Ayala and tell her step down.

"I had a lot of faith in her. I really did," Guman said.

Testa's Republican counterpart, John Slater, who has also used caution in the past when commenting on Ayala, said while all Americans are innocent until proven guilty, her problems go beyond criminality and reflect poorly on Bridgeport.

"When the city of Bridgeport faces many challenges, it can't afford a state legislator who behaves like Rep. Ayala," Slater said. "She should resign and allow the voters to select someone better able to fill this important position."

Finch's predecessor, John Fabrizi, said if he still held the office, he would meet with Ayala and urge her to resign. Based on the results of that conversation, Fabrizi said, if necessary he would then publicly pressure her to leave office.

"Unfortunately, Christina has demonstrated a lot of irresponsibility in a very short period of time," Fabrizi said.

Fabrizi knows something about exiting politics because of personal bad judgement. He was forced out of a re-election bid in 2007 as a result of cocaine use and support for a convicted child molester.

"I walked away from the job I loved," he said, "and that's the penance I thought I had to pay."

DiNardo was more understanding of Finch's position toward Ayala.

"I am sure that the mayor wants to give Christina the benefit of the doubt and the opportunity to let the investigation go forward before making any judgements," she said. "And I understand that, because he needs to be able to work with all of his delegation to make sure Bridgeport is well represented in Hartford."

Guman said that as mayor, Finch has to be cautious, but he should still be encouraging Ayala to resign.

"I think it's the right thing to do, to urge her to get out," Guman said. "Like Nancy said, it's all these things."